Dual Olympian Glenn Turner believes Anna Flanagan's tough times are a good learning curve that will help her recapture her best.
After missing out on a spot in the Hockeyroos 2016 Olympics squad due to off-field issues last year, Flanagan is making steps to hopefully return to the team for next year's Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.
The next of those is playing for the Canberra Strikers in the lead-up to next month's Australian Hockey League.
Turner, who won a Commonwealth Games gold medal in 2010, believes Flanagan's set back will be a good learning curve.
He also insists the time Flanagan has spent away from the game dealing with personal issues will not only help her, but give her the opportunity to find the form she showed earlier in her career.
"This has been a good learning curve for her and I went through similar things as well, you do as you grow up," Turner said.
"Everyone goes through slumps and when you come out on the other side of them you will become a better player.
"I think being away from the system could be good for her ... she just needs to go in and back herself because she has been there and done it before.
"At her best she will definitely be out there for [the Hockeyroos]."
Flanagan is back in Canberra playing a couple of trials for the Strikers against NSW at Lyneham's National Hockey Centre, the second of which is on Wednesday.
The Canberra Lakers are also playing a tri-series against the NSW and Victorian men's teams.
Work commitments meant former Kookaburras striker Turner can't play for the ACT side as they prepare for the upcoming AHL in Perth.
The 33-year-old was hopeful of playing at the nationals, but was about to open a new gym and wasn't sure if he could take the time off.
"I am hoping to play nationals, the gym is supposed to open at the end of August at the hockey centre there," Turner said.
"If I don't open for a month then financially that won't be a good option.
"It is a young team and I would love to go and help them out. We showed last night that we matched them [Victoria] so we will just have to wait and see in the week or so."
Victoria beat the Lakers 4-1 in the first game of Capital Challenge on Monday night.
CAPITAL HOCKEY CHALLENGE
Wednesday: Canberra Lakers v NSW Waratahs, 4pm; Canberra Strikers v NSW Arrows, 6pm. All games played at Lyneham's National Hockey Centre.
